My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake with wide

cake is so

a ‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to

stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s

that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel

sing the ‘Happy

must close her eyes and make

must blow

shook her head to indicate to Julian that

children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up beside

a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give

thank you!” their parents instructed,

on each other’s faces. Just like

light of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is

worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend

then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep

she turned and headed toward the

apartment and about to close the

slam, the door was propped

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

out on business?

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house and shut the door

been getting along

she took two steps back.

he stalked toward her as he pulled off

“I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

her, forcing

had no idea

and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged